Alternative medicine

Arthritis is a chronic condition so once you have developed it, expect its symptoms to recur. Many patients who suffer from this type of condition consider natural therapies either as a supplement or an alternative to conventional therapies that have not delivered successful or satisfactory results.

The term "natural cures" is not quite accurate, because there is really no cure to arthritis yet and also because most of these natural treatments have not undergone a sufficient number of controlled studies and professional assessment in order to be labelled safe and effective. When trying natural therapies and treatments, make sure you know what they are about and what type of ingredients are used and that you have discussed your decision with your doctor beforehand.

Hoping for a Natural "Cure"

Treating arthritis is a two-fold approach: one to treat pain and the other to treat inflammation. One of the natural ways to treat arthritis is the use of herbs and herbal supplements, a practice that has been around since ancient times. Some of the most popular you might want to know about include:

Ginger. This is a natural treatment that has been in use for hundreds of years and has been known to act against prostaglandins, hormones that are responsible for pain and inflammation. Studies about the effects of ginger as a natural treatment for arthritis are still limited but some reports have shown that it has been effective in producing relief from arthritic symptoms to a majority of the participants.

White Willow Bark. It contains salicin and some salicylates, acts as a painkiller in the same manner as aspirin. It can relieve pain and also help reduce swelling although its effects are milder and slow to act.

Nettle Leaf Extract. This has been used in Germany to treat rheumatoid arthritis for many years. Nettle leaf contains active compounds that have been found to be effective as anti-inflammatories. It may also be used as a topical lotion to relieve joint pain.

Boswellia. This is a plant used in Ayurvedic treatments. Boswellic gum resins have been used to treat arthritis for hundreds of years and are effective against inflammation. In a double-blind, randomized study, a combination of boswellia, curcumin and ashwagandha was able to reduce painful symptoms caused by osteoarthritis.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Often found in fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel and herrings) and fish oils, Omega-3 fatty acids can be converted inside the body to produce a strong anti-inflammatory action. It also helps reduce substances that promote the deterioration of collagen which is necessary to promote healthy joints. As part of a healthy diet, Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce joint stiffness and tenderness.

Antioxidants. Vitamins C and E have been known to prevent damage from cell structures by fighting free radicals. As such, they can be an effective treatment against arthritis by ensuring tissues are repaired and that further damage to body cells is avoided.

Organic Sulfur. Also known as MSM (methylsulphonylmethane), it helps maintain healthy connective tissues. It also helps produce amino acids, which in turn produce protein. While naturally-occurring in foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products and vegetables, it may be best taken as a supplement to help relieve inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

Falling for a Hoax

As many as there are products that have proven to be effective as natural "cures" for arthritis, so also are there products that are ineffective but claim to be otherwise. When excessive pain calls for desperate measures, it's often easy to fall for products that claim to be the ultimate solution. Here's how to determine whether or not you should avoid a product or therapy:

It claims to be the natural cure to arthritis.

There is no such thing as a cure to arthritis and the word "cure" that appears in this article in reference to natural treatments is used loosely. If there is such thing as the ultimate arthritis cure, don't you think it would have been big news by now?

It's a secret nobody knows about.

If the ingredients or methods are touted as a secret, proceed with caution. There is a reason why manufacturers don't reveal what their product contains or what their therapy does and it's either because it's illegal or downright ineffective. Legitimate manufacturers should be unafraid about revealing what their products can do.

It's quick and untested.

Treating arthritis takes time and any product that claims it offers the quickest and simplest relief for pain and inflammation is promising too much. If the product is not backed up by scientific evidence such as clinical studies and trials, it's prudent not to use it.

It's suppressed by a widespread conspiracy.

Be wary of products that claim to be the victims of a conspiracy involving the government or major pharmaceutical companies. There is no such thing as a conspiracy, so don't fall for this hoax.

When considering natural products for the treatment of arthritis, make sure you arm yourself with the right research and information before using. Unscrupulous manufacturers abound and it's often difficult to assess whether a claim is true or not. Educate yourself and use prudence and common sense. Until a natural cure for arthritis is finally discovered, nobody else can protect you from untruthful claims except you yourself.